that states should have in place a clearly established process for age assessment which uses a multidisciplinary approach, grounded in evidence-based knowledge, methods and practice, and which is child-centred. It goes on to say that a medical examination for age assessment purposes should only be undertaken when reasonable doubts remain about the person’s estimated age once the other measures of the multidisciplinary approach have been exhausted, with the person’s informed consent and with due respect for the principles of proportionality and the best interests of the child. 24. Before the examination is carried out, a legal representative or guardian should be appointed to help the person concerned decide whether to give consent. It is important that the explanation of the age determination procedure is given in a language that the person understands. During the procedure, the person concerned shall be treated as a minor. Age assessment should be carried out as soon as possible. Identified promising practice In the United Kingdom, if a person claims to be a child on arrival, immigration officers are required to make an initial age decision to determine whether the person should be treated as a child or an adult. The “Assessing Age” guidance provides that immigration officers may only treat an individual as an adult where: ► an age assessment has been conducted by either a local authority or the National Age Assessment Board and has assessed the individual to be 18 or over; ► two Home Office members of staff have independently assessed that the individual is an adult because his or her physical appearance and demeanour very strongly suggests that he or she is significantly over 18 years of age and there is little or no supporting evidence for their claimed age (the principle of the benefit of the doubt is key); ► there is credible and clear documentary evidence that the individual is 18 years of age or over. Individuals have access to legal aid and interpreters to support them through the process of legally challenging any age decision. ii. A statelessness determination procedure adapted to unaccompanied children and the existing guarantees 25. It is very important to make a statelessness determination procedure or any other procedure easily accessible for children. If necessary, a legal Child-friendly nationality and statelessness determination procedures ► Page 15